Welcome to the new era of menswear sewing. Go ahead and create something exceptional!

Fashion Show!

I must admit I am still struggling to come off the high that accompanied last Saturday’s end of year fashion show, and, based on the endless recaps I’ve been hearing, so are my classmates!

The fashion show went so smoothly and professionally. The whole day I kept gazing around and finding myself surprised by just how ‘real’ a student show could seem. There was a huge (approx 150 ft.) carpeted runway, there were gorgeously long-legged models swanning around, there was a press pit (where Matt got to set up his tri-pod, much to his delight!), and there was a big audience of about 350 to 400 people. I would say those are all the ingredients for a great show – plus some new designers with a shocking range of design styles of course!

There are a ton of pictures on Facebook and I have added a gallery of Terrance Lam’s photos (the Pacific Design Academy’s photographer) to Thread Theory’s facebook page. In this post are the photos Matt took on his Pentax ME film camera. He had a blast in the pit with his little camera while professional set-ups hovered over either of his shoulders. I think the results are quite nice if you are a fan of the aesthetic colour film creates.

The first years (missing Kaitlind though…we couldn’t find her!)

Me…this was how excited I looked the entire day. It was exhausting!

My models were absolutely amazing. Everyone showed up just when they said they would and they were all so encouraging to me! My sister, Kayleen, did an absolutely amazing job of make-up and hair and also of modelling (she’s the one in the brown linen dress). She was on her feet backstage all day chugging away styling model after model while I flitted around excitedly (doing nothing especially productive) and then, just before the show, she whipped into her own outfit and rocked the runway!

Each student made an information board highlighting their collection. I took the opportunity to do a bit of plugging for Thread Theory and offered rack cards with our website on them and featured my Dad’s Newcastle cardigan (pleasantly worn in by now…with dog hair and all!) on a mannequin beside the board. By the end of the night the stock of rack cards was greatly depleted!

A huge bouquet of flowers from my supportive parents.

I was so proud of how my collection presented on the runway as I found it very difficult to see it as a whole before the big day. I’m sure most sewers will relate to the frustrating inability to see beyond messy back-tacks or an imperfect button-hole to the final garment when you are done a project…if you ever have the opportunity all you need to do to solve this problem is find a beautifully made-up model, some bright lights and an audience and before you know it you will see your garment as simply a pleasing flash of colour and flowing fabric! 🙂

Now that the show and school are both over, I am working with my lovely co-workers, Heather and Rhonda, at the Heather Company sewing studio several days of the week and the rest of my time, I am pleased to be able to say, is Thread Theory time! The Jedediah Pants were just graded into their multi-sized format yesterday so I will be sewing up the first pair of size 30s on holiday Monday in an effort to finalize the instruction package before sending it out to test sewers.

I have been following your blog for a while, although I never do comment. I am in the process of making a Newcastle Cardigan for my husband and am eagerly awaiting the peacoat. 🙂 If you need test sewers for those pants, I’d be happy to give ’em a shot.

Congratulations on a successful show! I recently discovered your blog, and I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on your menswear designs–my husband (a 6’4″ very slim artist) is already asking for a Newcastle cardigan!